An agronomist and entrepreneur, Dr. Joseph Effiong, has suggested the federal authorities to think about implementing value management on farm inputs, amid rising value of staple meals within the nation.
Effiong, who was talking at an occasion in Lagos, not too long ago, mentioned such would go a good distance in addressing inflationary stress on agriculture produce, and by extension tame meals insecurity.
As of January 2024, meals inflation reached 35.41 p.c on a year-on-year foundation, some 11.10 p.c factors larger, in comparison with price recorded in January 2023 (24.32 per cent).
Effiong, decried the astronomical rise in value of uncooked supplies and farm inputs, together with feed, seeds, fertilizers, crop safety and working value, amongst others.
He acknowledged that this, coupled with low agriculture produce from native farmers as a consequence of raging farmers-herders’ disaster have been liable for meals disaster, spurring inflation development.
“The meals value disaster in Nigeria has reached alarming ranges with important commodities reminiscent of rice, beans, palm oil, and maize experiencing exorbitant value hikes, pushing them additional out of the attain of abnormal Nigerians.
“It’s disheartening to witness a good portion of the inhabitants being pressured into starvation and poverty as a consequence of circumstances past their management,” he lamented.
As a manner out, he suggested authorities to help value of agricultural merchandise first by exercising value management on farm inputs as to stop nefarious and unscrupulous operators.
He nonetheless tasked authorities to accentuate measures towards insecurity to have the ability to improve native agricultural manufacturing.
As well as, he urged institution of meals reserve, funding in storage and distribution in addition to a necessity to advertise sustainable agriculture.
“It’ll do the nation additional nicely to cease paying lip service to infrastructure growth. FG should as a matter of reality present meals subsidies and promote elevated productiveness amongst farmers. This won’t solely promote self-sufficiency but additionally stabilise meals costs in the long term”, he mentioned.
